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| Bodies found in family house fire | Bodies found in family house fire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A number of bodies have been found in the debris of a house in County Tyrone which was destroyed in a fire. | A number of bodies have been found in the debris of a house in County Tyrone which was destroyed in a fire. |
| It is feared that a couple and their five children were killed in the blaze at the end-terraced house at Lammy Crescent in Omagh. | It is feared that a couple and their five children were killed in the blaze at the end-terraced house at Lammy Crescent in Omagh. |
| None of the remains have been removed from the scene and the number of bodies found has not yet been confirmed. | None of the remains have been removed from the scene and the number of bodies found has not yet been confirmed. |
| Deputy chief fire officer Louis Jones said it was largest loss of life in any house fire he had attended in 30 years. | Deputy chief fire officer Louis Jones said it was largest loss of life in any house fire he had attended in 30 years. |
| The fire service arrived at the property at about 0500 GMT on Tuesday. | The fire service arrived at the property at about 0500 GMT on Tuesday. |
| Earlier, neighbours had put ladders up to first floor bedrooms, but were beaten back by the flames. | Earlier, neighbours had put ladders up to first floor bedrooms, but were beaten back by the flames. |
| Firefighters with breathing apparatus were also beaten back by the flames. | Firefighters with breathing apparatus were also beaten back by the flames. |
| It is understood the property was already well-alight when firefighters arrived. | It is understood the property was already well-alight when firefighters arrived. |
| The fire was so intense that the roof collapsed. It is believed the children feared dead range in age from an infant to a 13-year-old. | The fire was so intense that the roof collapsed. It is believed the children feared dead range in age from an infant to a 13-year-old. |
| Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter said police were investigating the cause of the blaze. | |
| "It is very early in the investigation and we will be looking at a range of issues, including the period leading up to the fire," he said. | |
| Parish priest Monsignor Joseph Donnelly said there was "disbelief and shock" in the community. | Parish priest Monsignor Joseph Donnelly said there was "disbelief and shock" in the community. |
| "It's hard to come to terms with the tragedy, that a family that was alive and well this time yesterday is gone," he said. | "It's hard to come to terms with the tragedy, that a family that was alive and well this time yesterday is gone," he said. |
| Local councillor Paddy McGowan - a former firefighter - said it was "one of the worst tragedies" he had ever seen. | Local councillor Paddy McGowan - a former firefighter - said it was "one of the worst tragedies" he had ever seen. |
| The alarm was raised at about 0500 GMT | The alarm was raised at about 0500 GMT |
| Mr McGowan said the family had lived there for about four years. | Mr McGowan said the family had lived there for about four years. |
| Red Cross emergency support volunteers have been at the scene, comforting neighbours and traumatised firefighters. | Red Cross emergency support volunteers have been at the scene, comforting neighbours and traumatised firefighters. |
| St Conor's Primary School near the house has been closed following the tragedy. Two of the children from the family feared dead went to the school. | St Conor's Primary School near the house has been closed following the tragedy. Two of the children from the family feared dead went to the school. |
| The eldest girl, aged 13, went to a secondary school in the town while two other children were under school-age. | The eldest girl, aged 13, went to a secondary school in the town while two other children were under school-age. |
| Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and first and deputy first ministers Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have expressed sympathy with the people of Omagh. | Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and first and deputy first ministers Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have expressed sympathy with the people of Omagh. |
| The Irish prime minister, Bertie Ahern, said the deaths were "truly heart-breaking". | The Irish prime minister, Bertie Ahern, said the deaths were "truly heart-breaking". |
| "My thoughts and prayers and those of my colleagues are with relatives and friends at this sad time," he added. | "My thoughts and prayers and those of my colleagues are with relatives and friends at this sad time," he added. |